366th Fighter Group

Constituted as 366th Fighter Group on 24 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun
1943. Prepared for overseas duty with P-47's. Moved to England, Dec
1943-Jan 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF. Entered combat on 14 Mar 1944 with a
fighter sweep along the French coast, then took part in operations
designed to prepare the way for the invasion of the Continent. Flew
fighter sweeps over Normandy on 6 Jun 1944, attacking such targets as
motor convoys and gun emplacements. Moved to the Continent soon after
D-Day and engaged primarily in dive-bombing missions against enemy
communications and fortifications until May 1945. Received a DUC for
supporting ground forces on 11 Jul 1944: approaching the assigned target -
pillboxes in the vicinity of St Lo - the group discovered an enemy tank
column unknown to Allied infantry; despite driving rain and intense
antiaircraft fire, the group not only attacked assigned objectives but
also severely damaged the enemy's armored force. Among other operations,
the group supported Allied armored columns during the breakthrough at St
Lo in Jul 1944; attacked flak positions near Eindhoven during the airborne
landing in Holland in Sep 1944; flew armed reconnaissance missions over
the battle area during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945 and
escorted bombers during the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945.
The 366th frequently attacked such targets as railroads, highways,
bridges, motor transports, gun emplacements, supply depots, and troops;
often escorted bombers that hit airfields, factories, and marshalling
yards; sometimes flew area patrols; and on occasion dropped leaflets. Flew
last mission, attacking harbors at Kiel and Flensburg, on 3 May 1945.
Remained in Germany after the war and, assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe, became part of the occupation force. Inactivated in
Germany on 20 Aug 1946.

Redesignated 366th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated in the US on 1 Jan
1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with F-51, F-84, and F-86
aircraft.